Chief Migration Officer

The new MSF fees were approved by the National Executive Council (NEC) last year but the implementation was pending the introduction of the new online payment facility.

Kantha said the new fees provide a standard rate in USD for visa fees charged by ICA domestically and by PNG Diplomatic Missions abroad, allowing clients applying for a visa in any country to pay the same amount regardless of the value of their currency or fluctuations in exchange rate. The new fees will be implemented effective from 01 November 2019.

“Anyone around the world with access to internet can visit our website: www.ica.gov.pg to access the eVisa Application Portal and lodge their eVisa application online. This enables clients to receive their eVisa instantly,” said Kantha.

“There has been considerable speculation regarding the new Centre and I wish to correct the record. The Centre is a stand-alone, purpose-built facility.

“The operationalisation of the BIC is a significant step in the operational capabilities of PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority. While it is correct that the first persons detained at the Centre are failed asylum seekers who refuse to depart PNG, we will use the BIC to ensure any individual found in breach of our immigration laws is available for removal or voluntary departure.

Chief Migration Officer, Solomon Kantha, reported the individual had been convicted of assault on a child in their country of origin and had sought to enter PNG last week.

Kantha said “Foreign criminals are not welcome in our country. This person sought to enter PNG as a tourist, but we can only speculate as to his real motivations. I would like to praise the work of ICA Borders, Enforcement and Compliance staff at Jackson's International Airport.

In a statement, Chief Migration Officer, Solomon Kantha, said: “The Immigration and Citizenship Authority will not tolerate any foreigners who breach the Migration Act and are working unlawfully in PNG.

“If we find you residing or working in breach of your visa conditions, you will be charged and removed from this country.”

Kantha sounded this warning following the successful conviction of six Malaysians and a Chinese national in Kokopo for breaching their visa conditions by working for another company, under the visa of a different employer.

This was announced by Chief Migration Officer, Solomon Kantha, to all commercial airlines that travel in PNG airspace.

The ban will be in place for a month.

In a circular notice on October 12th to Air Niugini, PNG Air, Qantas, Philippine Airlines and Virgin Australia, the Chief Migration Officer said the temporary suspension of visa on arrival applies to all passports and nationalities.

The temporary ban commences from 30th October 2018 to 30 November 2018.

This case was raised in Parliament by Northern Governor Gary Juffa recently.

Solomon Kantha said: “The removal orders signed against Mr He Kai were rescinded by former Minister who signed the orders. This former Minister had written to then Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration stating that the facts of the case were not made available to him at the time he signed the removal orders.